Gallatin County, Illinois Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IL
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 34th
Gallatin County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 33.9, 34th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Gallatin County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 33.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 34th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $366K in expected annual loss and about 6.10 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $624K in expected annual loss and about 9.53 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 5K.
Beyond physical exposure, Gallatin County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Gallatin County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 5 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 102 Illinois counties, Gallatin County ranks #77 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Low | 0.01 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 6.10 / yr | $366K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 9.53 / yr | $624K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.11 / yr | $515K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.84 / yr | $50K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 7.74 / yr | $36K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.26 / yr | $475K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 5.68 / yr | $3M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $14K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.05 / yr | $85K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.16 / yr | $300K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 52.47 / yr | $32K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.23 / yr | $35 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $312 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Gallatin County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (5), Biological (2), Hurricane (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| March 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| February 2005 | Snowstorm | Record/Near Record Snow |
| May 2002 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| March 1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 1996 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 11 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Gallatin County?
Gallatin County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 33.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 34th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Gallatin County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Low, $2M EAL), Drought (Medium, $366K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $624K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Gallatin County compare to other Illinois counties?
Gallatin County ranks #77 of 102 Illinois counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Gallatin County had?
FEMA records 11 federal disaster declarations for Gallatin County since 1973, most often 5 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in March 2020.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Gallatin County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.